Public Statements

Braley Statement on Vote against Ryan Budget

Statement

Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today released the following statement after he voted against Rep. Paul Ryan's budget bill:

"The Ryan Budget balances the federal budget on the backs of seniors and working Americans, and that's why I voted against it.

"By changing Medicare as we know it, the Ryan Budget puts the promise of Medicare at risk for future generations of retirees who have paid into the program their whole lives. This budget also does nothing to address the damaging across-the-board budget cuts that went into effect March 1st.

"Finally, I'm disappointed by the hypocrisy of this budget. It abolishes Obamacare, yet continues to rely on $716 billion in Medicare savings created by Obamacare. And it includes revenues created by a small tax increase on the wealthiest Americans that started January 1st, even though Paul Ryan and his political allies fought that every step of the way. If House Republicans had been willing to even consider these new revenues a year ago, we wouldn't be facing the problems caused by "sequestration' and its damaging cuts to vital federal programs.

"The American people want a balanced approach to deficit reduction, and they're sick of these political games. It's time that Republicans and Democrats came together to do the hard work of reducing the debt."